U.S. Department of State Travel Warning and Resources for Brazil -
Please review this web site before you travel to Brazil. You will be registered as a group in the "Smart Traveler Enrollment Program". This registration ensures the the U.S. Embassy in Brazil has your information and can track you better in case of en emergency. http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1072.html
VACCINATIONS: Make sure you are up-to-date on all of the routine vaccinations required for the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers information about additional vaccines recommended for Brazil. Please note that these are recommended and not mandatory to enter the country. You will be visiting the rain forest, so I recommend getting the Yellow Fever Vaccine. To get routine vaccines - visit your regular family doctor. For others, you'll need to visit a specialized travel clinic. NCSU's Health Center has one, and there are several others in Raleigh. Make sure you get vaccinated at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure!
EXCHANGING MONEY:
You will get the worst rate and be charged a fee at the airport. But, make sure you have at least some BRL before you land in Brazil. You can exchange a small amount at the international airport when you arrive. OR, you can order currency through many banks here in North Carolina before you leave. Sometimes is takes several weeks to get currency when you order it from a bank, so plan on extra time.
In addition, there are many ATM's and banks on the street where your housing is located. The easiest way to access cash in Curitiba (and get the best rate) is by taking money out of the ATM. Please note that you need to bring your passport with you to exchange money!
MONEY PREPARATIONS:
Call your bank and credit cards to let them know you will be in Brazil for 6 weeks. Otherwise, they may think it was stolen and block it.
MONEY IN BRAZIL:
Have a plan for how you are going to access your money while abroad, and have some back-ups! Getting money out of an ATM using your debit card is often the best way (and best rate). Also, I would recommend having at least one credit card and cash to take with you.
A money belt is also highly recommended for travel in Brazil. Theft and pick-pocketing is fairly common. Never carry around all of your credit cards, cash, etc. in a purse that could be easily taken.
What to carry with you at all times -
Copy of passport
Small amount of cash
Address of the hotel and Contact Info (You will receive a copy of this contact sheet soon!)
PACKING LIST:
A. Personal Care / Medical
1. Prescription Medication (for the whole time you'll be abroad)
2. Travel medical kit ( e.g. for allergy, diarrhea, fever/cold, indigestion, pain, etc)
3. Toiletries (small bottles)
4. Tissues
B. Clothing
1. Easily washable clothes (There are no laundry facilities in your hotel building. You can find one down the street, or wash clothes in the sink.)
2. Light-weight waterproof rain jacket
3. Comfortable walking shoes
4. A dress up outfit
5. Casual professional clothes for university and school visits.
C. Electronics
1.Laptop
2.Adaptors/converters
3. Alarm Clock
4. Flashlight or Headlamp
D. Other
1.Umbrella
2.Extra bag for day travel
3.Gifts that represent your culture
4. Quick dry pants and shirts for rain forest.
5. Boots/tennis shoes that are good for hiking and can get very, very dirty for rain forest.
6. Beach or bath towel for rain forest.
7. Bug spray/repellent
8. Bathing suit for rain forest.
Travel Tips & Logistics
TRAVEL RESOURCES:
U.S. Department of State Travel Warning and Resources for Brazil -
Please review this web site before you travel to Brazil. You will be registered as a group in the "Smart Traveler Enrollment Program". This registration ensures the the U.S. Embassy in Brazil has your information and can track you better in case of en emergency.
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1072.html
Curitiba - http://viajeaqui.abril.com.br/destinos/curitiba
Tourismo do Paraná - http://www.turismo.pr.gov.br/
VACCINATIONS:
Make sure you are up-to-date on all of the routine vaccinations required for the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers information about additional vaccines recommended for Brazil. Please note that these are recommended and not mandatory to enter the country. You will be visiting the rain forest, so I recommend getting the Yellow Fever Vaccine. To get routine vaccines - visit your regular family doctor. For others, you'll need to visit a specialized travel clinic. NCSU's Health Center has one, and there are several others in Raleigh. Make sure you get vaccinated at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure!
Visit the Center for Disease Control's web site for recommendations specific to Brazil:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/brazil.htm
The NCSU Travel Clinic provides comprehensive and personalized recommendations, medications and vaccinations according to each traveler's destination and itinerary. If you are interested in learning more, visit:
http://healthcenter.ncsu.edu/student-health-services/medical-clinics/travel-clinic/
EXCHANGING MONEY:
You will get the worst rate and be charged a fee at the airport. But, make sure you have at least some BRL before you land in Brazil. You can exchange a small amount at the international airport when you arrive. OR, you can order currency through many banks here in North Carolina before you leave. Sometimes is takes several weeks to get currency when you order it from a bank, so plan on extra time.
In addition, there are many ATM's and banks on the street where your housing is located. The easiest way to access cash in Curitiba (and get the best rate) is by taking money out of the ATM. Please note that you need to bring your passport with you to exchange money!
MONEY PREPARATIONS:
Call your bank and credit cards to let them know you will be in Brazil for 6 weeks. Otherwise, they may think it was stolen and block it.
MONEY IN BRAZIL:
Have a plan for how you are going to access your money while abroad, and have some back-ups! Getting money out of an ATM using your debit card is often the best way (and best rate). Also, I would recommend having at least one credit card and cash to take with you.
A money belt is also highly recommended for travel in Brazil. Theft and pick-pocketing is fairly common. Never carry around all of your credit cards, cash, etc. in a purse that could be easily taken.
What to carry with you at all times -
Copy of passport
Small amount of cash
Address of the hotel and Contact Info (You will receive a copy of this contact sheet soon!)
PACKING LIST:
A. Personal Care / Medical
1. Prescription Medication (for the whole time you'll be abroad)
2. Travel medical kit ( e.g. for allergy, diarrhea, fever/cold, indigestion, pain, etc)
3. Toiletries (small bottles)
4. Tissues
B. Clothing
1. Easily washable clothes (There are no laundry facilities in your hotel building. You can find one down the street, or wash clothes in the sink.)
2. Light-weight waterproof rain jacket
3. Comfortable walking shoes
4. A dress up outfit
5. Casual professional clothes for university and school visits.
C. Electronics
1.Laptop
2.Adaptors/converters
3. Alarm Clock
4. Flashlight or Headlamp
D. Other
1.Umbrella
2.Extra bag for day travel
3.Gifts that represent your culture
4. Quick dry pants and shirts for rain forest.
5. Boots/tennis shoes that are good for hiking and can get very, very dirty for rain forest.
6. Beach or bath towel for rain forest.
7. Bug spray/repellent
8. Bathing suit for rain forest.